Coalition on target

NEW Roads Minister Duncan Gay has hit the ground running as he takes on the mammoth task of fixing the Pacific Highway.

The National Party veteran was yesterday reminded of the urgency of the job with yet another fatal highway smash, this time at Warrell Creek, south of Macksville.

However, when answering questions from the Advocate, Mr Gay refused to be drawn on key projects on the Coffs Coast such as the Warrell Creek to Urunga upgrade and the Coffs Harbour bypass.

“The people of Coffs Harbour can be reassured that the NSW Liberals and Nationals, unlike the former Labor Government, are determined to complete the upgrade of the Pacific Highway,” Mr Gay said in a statement.

“We are working closely with the RTA and remain committed to fixing this notorious stretch of road.

"We are setting up the proper processes to ensure that instead of promises, people get projects.

“The Federal Government set a 2016 completion date for the Pacific Highway upgrade last year and the NSW Liberals and Nationals Government supports this.

“The best way to fix the many black spots on the Pacific Highway is for the road to be dual carriageway.”

Mr Gay said under the Coalition’s plan, interim priority blackspots would be targeted under the blackspot program pending the full upgrade.

“The former Labor Government abandoned this road. A recent NRMA report found that seven out of every 10 Pacific Highway projects ran over time under Labor.”